How to Draw Pokémon

If you want to draw something but you don't consider yourself an artist, you can draw some Pokémon—they can be easily created out of simple shapes, and they're so heavily stylized that you don't need to worry about realism.

In this tutorial, I will show you how to draw three Pokémon with three levels of difficulty: Butterfree, Pikachu, and Charizard.

What You Will Need

If you draw digitally, you need two layers and an ink-like tool. If you draw traditionally, you need a pencil for the guide lines, and something darker for the final lines (marker, fine liner, etc). Remember to sketch the guide lines lightly, without pressing hard on the paper! Also, if you want to lower the level of difficulty, keep your drawings small—this way it will be easier for you to achieve the correct proportions.

1. How to Draw Pikachu

Step 1

Draw two squares, one upon another. You don't need to use a ruler if you can eyeball it correctly.

Step 2

Draw a circle inside each square.

Step 3

Draw the diagonals of the squares.

Step 4

Draw a vertical middle line across the diagonals.

Step 5

Draw two horizontal lines crossing both squares in the middle. Then draw a horizontal line just under them.

Step 6

Draw round pikachu thighs in the lower half of the lower square.

Step 7

Draw tiny feet under the thighs.

Step 8

Draw two circles between the two squares—these will be the shoulders.

Step 9

Draw the basic shape of the arms.

Step 10

Give them thickness.

Step 11

Finish the arms with rounded hands.

Step 12

All the facial features will be placed inside this rectangular area. Sketch it.

Step 13

Draw a line across the rectangle, slightly below halfway.

Step 14

Draw the round cheeks.

Step 15

Draw the eyes in the upper corners of the rectangle. Don't make them perfectly circular—slightly tilted ovals will look cuter!

Step 16

Add the shine dots to the eyes.

Step 17

Draw the mouth and nose.

Step 18

Draw two small circles on the top of the head to create a base for the ears.

Step 19

Draw the length of the ears...

... and their thickness.

Step 20

Sketch the basic shape of the tail.

Step 21

Draw lines roughly parallel to the vertical ones, and one long line at the tip.

Step 22

Add tapering lines to the horizontal ones.

Step 23

The sketch is done! Take a darker tool and outline the final lines.

Step 24

To make the illustration less flat, make the outline thicker.

2. How to Draw Butterfree

Step 1

Draw a "fat teardrop", slightly tilted. This will be the torso of our Butterfree.

Step 2

Add a big, circular head to the torso.

Step 3

Draw two elongated ellipses for the legs. Make the one on the right longer.

Step 4

The main body is defined roughly, so let's add the wings now. First sketch their curve...

... then sketch a teardrop shape around it.

Step 5

Draw the rest of the wings the same way.

Step 6

But
Butterfree has only two pairs of wings, doesn't it? That's
right—connect two upper pairs to create the final shape of the upper
wings.

Step 7

With the main silhouette already established, we can go to the details now. Draw two tilted ovals for the eyes.

Step 8

Two small circles on the torso will be the hands.

Step 9

Draw zigzags across the circles to create the fingers.

Step 10

Draw a circle where the mouth should be.

Step 11

Cut it with a curve to create a smile.

Step 12

Draw two little fangs under it.

Step 13

Draw the long antennae on the head.

Step 14

Draw ovals inside the eyes to make them more detailed.

Step 15

Create the pattern on the wings:

Step 16

Our sketch is done! Take a darker tool now and outline Butterfree.

Step 17

Some parts can be filled with dark tones to create a nice contrast.

Step 18

To make the drawing more interesting without colors, make the main outline thicker.

3. How to Draw Charizard

Step 1

Draw a circle. This will be the lower body of our Charizard.

Step 2

Create a snowman, adding a smaller circle on top.

Step 3

Stick another circle on top, this time with a "neck" in between.

Step 4

Attach the thighs to the bottom of the biggest circle.

Step 5

Draw the ground line under the thighs.

Step 6

Draw the oval feet.

Step 7

Attach the circular shoulders to the torso.

Step 8

Sketch the basic shape of the arms.

Step 9

Add circles for the elbows and hands.

Step 10

Attach three circles to each hand—these will be the fingers.

Step 11

Add a muzzle to the head.

Step 12

Draw a line across the head, keeping its roundness in mind.

Step 13

Sketch the shape of the wings.

Step 14

Sketch the direction of the tail.

Step 15

To give the tail a proper thickness, draw circles along it—first a big one, then smaller and smaller.

Step 16

Time for the details of the face! Draw a flat heart to create the front of the muzzle.

Step 17

Sketch the nose holes.

Step 18

Draw the smile across the head.

Step 19

Add the fangs.

Step 20

Draw the top of the muzzle.

Step 21

Draw the eyebrows.

Step 22

Draw the typical manga eyes.

Step 23

Draw the horns.

Step 24

Outline the eyebrows.

Step 25

Add the claws.

Step 26

Draw additional circles in the wings, legs, and feet to better see the thickness you'll need to outline.

Step 27

Sketch the flame.

Step 28

The sketch is finished! Take a darker tool now and outline your Charizard.

Step 29

Don't forget to thicken the main outline to make the image more interesting.

Good Job!

Now you know how to draw Butterfree, Pikachu, and Charizard. Do you want to draw other things following a simple step-by-step instruction? Check these out: